Dec. 6, 2017 | Dec. 6, 2017 | Sushma Bhusal, M.D., and Aparna Sharma, M.D., have joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as transplant nephrologists, caring for kidney and pancreas transplant patients before and after surgery.

UAMS is the only center in Arkansas that offers adult liver and kidney — and soon pancreas — transplantation.

Bhusal and Sharma have advanced, specialized training in the needs of kidney and pancreas transplant patients. Bhusal completed a fellowship in nephrology at New York University and a fellowship in transplant nephrology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Sharma completed a nephrology fellowship at University of Chicago Medical Center and a transplant nephrology fellowship at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Sushma Bhusal, M.D.

In addition, Bhusal is director of UAMS’ pancreas transplant program, which is expected to open in the next year. UAMS is also expanding its living donor program, and Bhusal said it is important to spread the word about the life-saving role that living donors can play.

“The evidence is clear that people who donate one of their kidneys do not experience higher rates of mortality or morbidity compared to the general population,” Bhusal said.

Sharma agreed.

Aparna Sharma, M.D.

“Transplantation is absolutely the best treatment for end-stage renal disease, and living kidney donations are the best kind,” Sharma said. “Kidney donation is safe and can really save lives.”

“Dr. Bhusal and Dr. Sharma strengthen our growing transplant program,” said John Arthur, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Division of Nephrology. “We are excited to have them join us.”

Bhusal obtained her M.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry University, India. She completed an internship in internal medicine at the New York Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York, where she was awarded Most Outstanding Intern for 2011-2012, and a residency in internal medicine at St. Vincent Hospital in Worchester, Massachusetts.

Sharma earned her M.D. at Sawai Man Singh Medical College in Jaipur, India. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois.

UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; northwest Arkansas regional campus; statewide network of regional centers; and six institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and Translational Research Institute. It is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 2,727 students, 822 medical residents and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses throughout the state, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.